Phatic expression

Phatic expressions are just words or phrases that we use to be polite or to keep a conversation going. Think of them as the social "glue" that helps us connect with others.

Say you see a friend on the street and you say, "Hey, how are you doing?" even though you might not actually be interested in how they're doing. You're just using a phatic expression to start a conversation or show that you care.

Another example is when someone says, "Nice weather today, isn't it?" You might just be making small talk, but it's a friendly way to connect with someone and keep the conversation going.

Phatic expressions can also help us avoid sounding rude or abrupt. For instance, if you need someone's help, it's more polite to say, "Excuse me, could you help me with this?" than to just demand their assistance.

So, phatic expressions are pretty much like social "glue" that help us interact with others in a friendly and polite manner.